Log bundling cable apparatus



March 28, 1967 w. FLANDERS LOG BUNDLING CABLE APPARATUS Filed March 1, 1965 George W Flanders INVENTOR.

United States Patent 3,310,852 LOG BUNDLING CABLE APPARATUS George W. Flanders, Box 213, Cathlamet, Wash. 98612 Filed Mar. 1, 1965, Ser. No. 435,841 9 Claims. (Cl. 24-423) This invention relates to a cable assembly for use in securing logs in bundles when they are to be rafted from the log dump to the mill.

For convenience and economy in handling, as well as for better control of the logs, it has become the practice to tie the logs in bundles preliminary to rafting them to a given destination. It is present practice to bundle the logs by placing metal straps around them and crimping the ends of the straps to each other. When the raft containing the bundles has reached the mill, the bundles are lifted one at a time to the sorting deck with a grapple. The straps then are cut and discarded.

This procedure is somewhat diflicult to consummate, and wasteful since the straps are not reusable. In addition, it requires the use of a special wrapper, usually a wrapping chain, for containing the logs on the trucks used to haul them from the woods to the dump. There thus is a duplication of wrappers for the logs: a wrapper chain on the trucks, and straps in the raft.

Accordingly it is the general purpose of the present invention to provide a log bundling cable assembly which is universal in its application, being usable to contain the logs on the trucks as Well as in the bundles in the rafts.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a log bundling cable assembly which is strong, durable, safe and reusable.

Still a further object of the present invention is the provision of a special fastener for coupling together the ends of a log bundling cable releasably and yet securely, which fastener is provided with releasable locking means, as well as locating means for locating the locking means in an accessible position when the cable is in use.

The manner in which the foregoing and other objects of this invention are accomplished will be apparent from the accompanying specification and claims considered together with the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the herein described log bundling cable assembly, the assembly including a special fastener for fastening together the ends of the cable, the fastener being illustrated in its open position; and

FIGS. 2 and 3 are views in side and end elevation respectively of the cable assembly of FIG. 1 with the fastener in its closed position.

The log bundling cable assembly of my invention includes a cable or other strong, flexible element 10. To one end of the cable are fixed a plurality of stops or buttons 12 at spaced intervals.

The ends of the cable are releasably interconnected by means of a special fastener indicated generally at 14 and comprising two substantially matching halves 14a and Hinge means are provided for hinging the two halves together so that they may be adjusted between open and closed positions. In the illustrated form of the invention the hinge means comprises a pin and knuckle hinge including knuckles 16, 18 extending laterally from the fastener half 14a; knuckle 20 extending laterally from fastener half 1412; and pin 22 maintaining the knuckles in hinge-forming relation.

Each of the halves is formed with a longitudinally extending recess 22a, 22b. Each of the recesses, in turn, is formed with a central enlarged portion forming seat sections 24a, 24b. The terminal portions of the longitudinal recesses are flared outwardly as seen particularly in FIG. 1. In addition, the flared portion at one end is 3,310,852 Patented Mar. 28, 1967 flared unsymmetrically to form a downwardly extending guideway 26 as shown particularly in FIGS. 2 and 3.

In the closed position of the two halves of the fastener, longitudinal recesses 22a, 22b and seat sections 24a, 24b register with each other. They thus form a longitudinal passageway through the fastener. The passageway, in turn, is characterized by the presence of a relatively large, square-shouldered seat in its central portion.

The relative diameters of the passageways and seat are such that the diameter of the passageway is somewhat larger than the diameter of cable 10 but smaller than the diameter of buttons 12. The diameter of the seat, in turn, is somewhat greater than the diameter of buttons 12.

Releasable locking means are provided for releasably locking together the two halves in their closed positions. In view of the rugged application of the fastener, and the strain to which it is put, it is required that the locking means be strong, durable, and not susceptible to inadvertent unlocking.

Accordingly there are provided a pair of laterally extending tabs 28a, 28b extending laterally one from each half. The direction of extension preferably is substantially at right angles to the direction of extension of guideway 26, FIG. 2.

Tabs 23a, 28b are provided with rectangular openings 39a, 30b, respectively. Both tabs and openings register When the fastener halves are closed.

Key means are provided for interchanging the fastener halves in their closed position. The construction of the key means employed is shown particularly in FIGS. 2 and 3.

The key, indicated generally at 32 includes a stem 34, an eye 36 on one end and a keeper or crosspiece 38 on the other end. The key is dimensioned so that keeper 38 may be inserted through registering openings 30a, 30b when the keeper is aligned with the openings. Giving the key a half turn then will wedge tabs 28a, 28b tightly together to lock the fastener in its closed position, in which it seats in a groove 39 in tab 28b.

Means also are present for securing one end of cable 10 permanently to the fastener and also for aligning the locking tabs when the cable assembly is in use so that the locking mechanism may be reached conveniently.

As shown in FIG. 2, the cable securing means comprises an eye 40 to which an end of the cable is spliced. Preferably eye 40 extends outwardly in the same plane as guideway 26.

In its application, cable 10 is placed around a bundle of logs. Fastener 14 is placed in its open FIG. 1 position. A selected one of buttons 12 then is seated in one or the other of seat sections 24a, 24b, the choice of but tons being determined by the size of the bundle. Any surplus length of cable will pass completely through the fastener.

The two halves of the fastener then are closed, key 32 inserted through the opening formed by registering slots 30a, 30b, and turned to the locked FIG. 2 position of the fastener.

When this is done, as is apparent from the same figure, the angular relation of the two ends of cable 10 and the tension placed thereon will position the fastener in such a position that tabs 28, 23b will extend substantially parallel to the plane of the logs while the key 32 will lie in a plane substantially normal to the plane of the logs, with eye 36 uppermost. This insures that the eye will not be buried against a log that it is inaccessible When it is desired to open the bundle.

The log bundles then are formed into a raft between boom sticks in the usual manner. Once in the water, the bundle spreads because of the flotation effect. This puts 9 a on the cable the tension requisite for maintaining it in position and eliminates the necessity of employing a special tensioning device when the cable is applied to the bundle in the first instance.

When the log bundles reach the mill, they are grappled to the sorting deck in the usual manner. Key 32 is turned to release the lock. Halves 14a, 14b of the fastener thereupon open, releasing the cable.

Not only may the cable be retrieved and reused, but if desired it also may be transported to the log yarding station in the woods rather than to the log dump. In the woods, using a small length of chain as an adapter, it may be employed as the wrapper for retaining the logs on the trucks upon which they are loaded, fastener 14 functioning in the manner described above.

The logs then may be truck hauled to the log dump, fastener 14 released and the logs bundled, using the same cable assemblies.

The log strapping operation thus is eliminated completely with corresponding economies.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herein shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A log bundling cable assembly comprising (a) a cable,

(b) at least one button of enlarged diameter fixed to one end portion of the cable,

() a cable fastener comprising two halves,

(d) means securing the other end of the cable to one only of the halves,

(e) hinge means hinging the two halves together for adjustment between open and closed positions,

(f) lock means for releasably locking the halves in their closed positions,

(g) each half having a longitudinal recess formed with a central seat section,

(h) the longitudinal recesses in the respective halves registering with each other in the closed position of the fastener and forming a longitudinal passageway greater than the diameter of the cable but smaller than the diameter of the button thereon, for receiving said one end portion of the cable adjustably therethrough,

(i) the central seat sections registering with each other and forming a seat dimensioned to contain and retain the button in the closed position of the fastener.

2. The log bundling cable assembly of claim 1 wherein the cable is provided with a plurality of buttons fixed at spaced intervals to said one end portion of the cable.

3. For use with a log bundling cable having at one end a button of enlarged diameter, a fastener comprising (a) two halves,

(-b) securing means for securing the other end of the cable to one only of the halves,

(c) hinge means hinging the two halves together for adjustment between open and closed position,

(d) lock means for releasably locking the halves in their closed position,

(e) each half having a longitudinal recess with flared ends formed with a central seat section,

(f) the longitudinal recesses in the respective halves registering with each other in the closed position of the fastener and forming a longitudinal passage- Way greater than the diameter of the cable but smallor than the diameter of the button thereon, for receiving the button-carrying end of the cable therethrough,

(g) the central seat sections registering with each other and forming a seat dimensioned to contain and retain the button in the closed position of the fastener.

4. The fastener of claim 1 wherein the securing means comprises an eye to which the cable may be spliced.

5. The fastener of claim 3 wherein the hinge means comprises a pin and knuckle hinge.

6. The fastener of claim 3 wherein each half is provided with a lateral projection having therethrough a slot registering with the slot of the companion half when the fastener is in its closed position, and wherein the lock means comprises a key adapted to be passed through the registering slots and turned to locking position.

7. The fastener of claim 3 wherein the longitudinal passageway is outwardly flared at each of its ends.

8. The fastener of claim 3 wherein the cable securing means comprises an eye extending outwardly from one end of one of the halves substantially at right angles to the locking means and wherein the other end of the same fastener half is flared outwardly in the same plane as the eye, to form a guideway for the cable.

9. The fastener of claim 1 wherein the cable securing means comprises an eye extending outwardly from one end of one of the halves substantially at right angles to the lock means, and wherein the other end of the same fastener is flared outwardly in the same plane as the eye to form a guideway for the cable.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 503,291 8/1893 Neil. 1,456,824 5/1923 Olson. 1,490,445 4/ 1924 Wilson 294- 1,814,407 7/ 1931 Peebles 294-90 1,948,869 2/1934 Pinson 24-132 X 2,440,012 4/1948 Haver 24-1231 X FOREIGN PATENTS 650,103 10/1962 Canada. 352,856 1/1921 Germany.

BERNARD A. CLARK, Primary Examiner. 

1. A LOG BUNDLING CABLE ASSEMBLY COMPRISING (A) A CABLE, (B) AT LEAST ONE BUTTON OF ENLARGED DIAMETER FIXED TO ONE END PORTION OF THE CABLE, (C) A CABLE FASTENER COMPRISING TWO HALVES, (D) MEANS SECURING THE OTHER END OF THE CABLE TO ONE ONLY OF THE HALVES, (E) HINGE MEANS HINGING THE TWO HALVES TOGETHER FOR ADJUSTMENT BETWEEN OPEN AND CLOSED POSITIONS, (F) LOCK MEANS FOR RELEASABLY LOCKING THE HALVES IN THEIR CLOSED POSITIONS, (G) EACH HALF HAVING A LONGITUDINAL RECESS FORMED WITH A CENTRAL SEAT SECTION, (H) THE LONGITUDINAL RECESSES IN THE RESPECTIVE HALVES REGISTERING WITH EACH OTHER IN THE CLOSED POSITION OF THE FASTENER AND FORMING A LONGITUDINAL PASSAGEWAY GREATER THAN THE DIAMETER OF THE CABLE BUT SMALLER THAN THE DIAMETER OF THE BUTTON THEREON, FOR RECEIVING SAID ONE END PORTION OF THE CABLE ADJUSTABLY THERETHROUGH, (I) THE CENTRAL SEAT SECTIONS REGISTERING WITH EACH OTHER AND FORMING A SEAT DIMENSIONED TO CONTAIN AND RETAIN THE BUTTON IN THE CLOSED POSITION OF THE FASTENER. 